Date Type 23/10/2015 JUA Case No Country Mandate(s) AGO 3/2015 Angola Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply Allegations of arbitrary arrest and detention of fourteen human rights activists and 11/12/2015 a member of the National Air Force as well as charges brought against them and two other human rights activists who remain at liberty. According to the information received, between 20 and 24 June 2015, Mr. Henrique Luaty da Silva Beirão, Mr. Manuel Chivonde, Mr. Nuno Álvaro Dala, Mr. Afonso Mahenda Matias, Mr. Nelson Dibango Mendes dos Santos, Mr. Hitler Jessy Chivonde, Mr. Albano Evaristo Bingobingo, Mr. Sedrick Domingos de Carvalho, Mr. Fernando António Tomás, Mr. Arante Kivuvu Italiano Lopes, Mr. Benedito Jeremias, Mr. José Gomes Hata, Mr. Inocêncio Antônio de Brito, Mr. Domingos da Cruz and Mr. Osvaldo Sérgio Correia Caholo were arrested by Angolan security forces. These arrests occurred after the abovementioned activists had attended several peaceful meetings to raise concerns over good governance, as well as to discuss the principle of non-violent protest. Along with Ms. Rosa Conde and Ms. Laurinda Gouveia, they were formally charged with preparing a rebellion as well as organizing a coup attempt against the current President and the Government of Angola on 16 September 2015, facing up to three years’ imprisonment or a corresponding fine. The fourteen detained activists and Mr. Osvaldo Sérgio Correia Caholo were held in pre-trial detention without being charged for more than 90 days as it is authorised by law. On 20 September, some of the detained activists went on hunger strike to protest against their alleged arbitrary detention; Mr. da Silva Beirão has reportedly continued his hunger strike to date. Mr. da Silva Beirão, Mr. Chivonde and Mr. Mahenda Matias were the subject of a previous communication sent on 26/04/2013, see A/HRC/24/21, case no. AGO 2/2013. A/HRC/31/79 129